Buzz
What started as a humble American burger spot in London has blossomed into a worldwide network of iconic tourist hubs. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the beaches of Bali, from Oslo’s cool streets to Johannesburg’s lively vibe, Hard Rock’s towering neon guitar stands proud, offering a promise of hearty American meals and walls adorned with rock 'n' roll history. Like a classic band, Hard Rock has evolved over time, branching out into hotels, casinos, live music venues, and all-inclusive resorts. Yet, some things remain unchanged—those iconic T-shirts and the spirited, flair-loving staff.
1. It all kicked off with two Americans in London.
Schröder+Schömbs PR via Flickr // CC BY-ND 2.0
In the early 1970s, London was buzzing with rock music and the latest fashion trends. Hamburgers, however, weren’t part of the scene. So, in 1971, Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett decided to bring an American-style diner to the city, naming it in a way that reflected the local vibe. Despite some skeptics—including the landlord, who only offered them a six-month lease—the Hard Rock Café quickly became a smash hit.
2. The founders had business royalty in their blood.
These were no ordinary entrepreneurs. Morton was the son of Arnie Morton, the president of Morton’s Steakhouse, while Tigrett’s father struck it rich by acquiring the patent for the Glub-Glub plastic drinking ducks—a quirky invention he bought for $800 in the ‘50s. In terms of rock 'n' roll pedigree, Tigrett made headlines in 1976 when he moved in with Maureen Starkey after her divorce from Ringo—the Beatle—and they tied the knot 13 years later. Tigrett often referred to her as "my most authentic piece of rock and roll memorabilia."
3. The artist behind the logo is a true legend.
Sean Lucas via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Alan Aldridge’s illustrations graced album covers and sci-fi books throughout the 1960s and '70s, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential commercial artists of the 20th century. Known for his psychedelic style, Aldridge took a different approach with the Hard Rock Café logo, creating a design that was straightforward yet bold, in response to Morton’s request to draw inspiration from the Chevrolet logo.
4. The iconic T-shirts were a fortunate mistake.
In 1973, Morton and Tigrett sponsored a local soccer team and outfitted the players in uniforms featuring the Hard Rock logo. With extras left over, the restaurant gave them away to loyal customers, who began wearing them around town. As word spread and demand grew, the café eventually set up a dedicated stand to sell T-shirts.
5. Eric Clapton was the first musician to donate memorabilia.
David Muir via Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Legend has it that Clapton wanted to gift Tigrett one of his guitars. When Tigrett confessed that he didn’t play, Clapton suggested, “Why not put it on the wall?” Just a week later, another guitar arrived, this time from Pete Townshend, with a note that read, “Mine’s just as good as his!” And so, a tradition was born.
6. They went on a memorabilia spree at an auction in 1986.
Neilson Barnard // Getty
By this time, the Hard Rock Café had become the ultimate destination for rock memorabilia. So, when they attended a Sotheby’s auction in 1986, they didn’t hold back. Among the treasures they acquired were a pair of John Lennon’s glasses, Madonna’s iconic dress from “Like a Virgin,” Michael Jackson’s red jacket from “Beat It,” and Jimi Hendrix’s famous Flying V guitar.
7. The first live concert hosted was Paul McCartney and Wings.
In 1973, Sir Paul and his band made an unplanned appearance at the Hard Rock Café—marking the beginning of what is now 15,000 live shows hosted annually at Hard Rock venues worldwide.
8. Carole King loved it so much, she wrote a song about it.
Now if you're feeling just a little bit lonely Don't sit at home just mopin' Come on down to where the spirits flow so freely You know the door is always open At the Hard Rock Cafe
9. They've created an impressive number of pins over the years.
Diana via Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
44,000, to be precise. Since 1985, Hard Rock has produced everything from iconic city-based guitar pins and pins celebrating various bands, to unique designs like steampunk and collaborations with Barbie and Hello Kitty. And one man has managed to collect nearly 5,000 of them.
10. There's a waitress who has been on the payroll since day one.
Schröder+Schömbs PR via Flickr// CC BY-ND 2.0
In her 1971 job interview, Rita Gilligan told Morton, "I’m the best you’re gonna get, so you’d better hire me." Morton hired her on the spot. Forty-five years later, after serving countless celebrity clientele, Gilligan has retired but continues to appear at openings and promotional events.
11. The Hard Rock brand is now owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY // Getty
In 2007, the Seminole Tribe, which already owned two Hard Rock casinos in Florida, went all in and acquired the entire company in a deal valued at nearly $1 billion.
12. Haven’t visited in a while? You’re not the only one.
Hard Rock Café faces a challenge: it struggles to attract regulars. While it has always been a hotspot for tourists, even those who used to swing by while visiting relatives in Tampa have stopped coming. “There’s a particular segment that we particularly want to reach out to that hasn’t really, for whatever reason, thought about us or experienced us in the last 10 or 15 years,” said Fred Thimm, chief operating officer of cafe operations, told Bloomberg.
13. You can score a free meal on tax day…
Joselu Blanco via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
….but you’ll have to sing for it. In front of the whole restaurant. Better warm up those vocal cords now—this is not the place to mess up a line in "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," especially if Bret Michaels might be in the crowd.
